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Is It Living?

by The Sunken Sea

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about

"Is It Living?" is borne out of duelling pressures: long hours of work blur into tense, fleeting scenes with lovers, which end with the inevitable trek to work the next morning.
This song is steadily, insistently despairing in the midst of carving a fulfilling life out of the doldrum. The repeated, unfinished question in the coda suggests that we can get so trapped in the ritual of our despair that we lose sight of what we actually desire in life.

Written, produced and mixed by frontman Dougal James in various sharehouses and studios, and mastered by Becki Whitton, this tune is the culmination of the band’s last six years honing their craft in Melbourne. Local singer-songwriter Stella Farnan lent her rich voice for some gorgeous backing vocals, which sit perfectly amongst the band’s careful blend of motorik drums, buzzing guitars, soaring synths and booming lead vocals.

lyrics

Is it living? x8
If I happen to blow past looking for something
I'll stride to my end, and I'm suddenly someone else
Is it living? x8
If I want a good life, then I gotta stay online
And on time, I gotta be in the race

I don't plan, I don't plan
On losing the pulse again

Is it living? x8
If I starve myself of autonomy, put your hands on me
I'll make another hole in the belt
Is it living? x8
If I don't look back in the same light
Honey I told you I feel like a dead embrace

I'm always at home
I'm always at work
Just don't bother
And when you find me
Collapsed in your bed
Just roll over

I don't plan, I don't plan
On losing the pulse again

Is it living? x8
If I leave it too late in the morning to warn you
I'm normally quite boring and I think you want something else
Is it living? x8
If I walk straight to work from your place
I don't think you know, I gotta be in the race

I'm always at home
I'm always at work
Just don't bother
And when you find me
Collapsed in your bed
Just roll over
I hope that you know
It would have been worse
If I hovered
This vision of me
It's all in your head
Just don't bother

Is it living? x8
If I? x4
If I wanna?

credits

released October 21, 2022
Dougal James - lead vocals, bass VI, guitars, synthesisers, piano, percussion
Ben Fleming - drums
Cian Bennet - backing vocals
Stella Farnan - backing vocals

Recorded, produced and mixed by Dougal James
Mastered by Becki Whitton
Artwork by Rafferty Amor

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about

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The Sunken Sea Melbourne, Australia

Led by Melbourne songwriter Dougal James' frank lyrics and baritone drawl, The Sunken Sea's music blends the personal and the political.


Soaring melodies slice through dense rhythms and syrupy harmonies to forge dusty Australiana tinged with lopsided jazz and post-punk. ... more

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